The Federal Government has unveiled a series of rail, digital-data and terminal projects aimed at reducing Nigeria’s dependence on road transport and creating a more integrated national mobility system.
Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Transportation Olufunso Adebiyi outlined the initiatives at the 19th National Council on Transportation in Abuja.
He said government policy was increasingly focused on creating viable alternatives through rail, maritime and air transport.
Operational railway corridors identified by the ministry include Port Harcourt-Aba, Warri-Itakpe, Lagos-Ibadan and Abuja-Kaduna.
Work is also progressing on Kaduna-Zaria-Kano, Kaduna-Daura-Katsina, Katsina-Jibia-Maradi and Kano-Dutse.
Adebiyi said the Kaduna-Zaria-Kano line was nearing completion and could open by December if current timelines were maintained.
The government is also seeking to expand rail freight in order to reduce the number of heavy trucks on major highways.
Adebiyi cited a recent movement of 33 forty-foot containers by train to the Ibadan Dry Port as an example of how rail freight could ease road congestion.
The Federal Executive Council has also approved a Smart National Transport Data Bank under a Design-Build-Finance-Operate-and-Transfer arrangement.
The platform is expected to create a central database of drivers, vehicles, plate numbers and transport operators.
Standardized passenger manifests are also planned for motor parks to improve accident response, passenger identification and enforcement.
Government has approved six standard bus terminals as a pilot programme.
The terminals are expected to include passenger waiting areas, information systems, police posts, vehicle inspection bays, workshops, restaurants and restrooms.
The ministry also said preliminary plans were being developed for a high-speed rail corridor from Lagos to Maiduguri.
Light rail projects have been approved for Lagos and Kano with possible expansion to other state capitals.
In the maritime sector, port reconstruction and automation are expected to improve cargo handling and reduce congestion.
Head of the Civil Service Abel Enitan said major transport infrastructure needed to be supported by stronger institutions, regulation, data and skilled personnel.
The government said its long-term objective was seamless movement of passengers and cargo across road, rail, air and water, with lower logistics costs and improved productivity.
